April 15, 2015
Neshaminy State Park/for PhillyVoice
Neshaminy State Park hosts the largest Civil War re-enactment on the East Coast outside of Gettysburg.
War buffs and reenactment aficionados should head to Neshaminy State Park the weekend of April 25 and 26. There they'll find the 26th Annual Civil War Reenactment, the second largest on the East Coast (Gettysburg, naturally, takes that crown).
The two-day event will include live battle reenactments, camp life scenarios and demonstrations of what it was like to be a civilian or in the military at this time. Over 1,000 re-enactors will participate in the massive event, which is sure to be entertaining and educational.
Each year the Neshaminy reenactment has a theme. This year's is “1865 Actions Around Petersburg—White Oak Road & Five Forks.” The Battle of White Oak Road took place on March 31, 1865, and The Battle of Five Forks took place on April 1, 1865. These battles were part of a series of military actions that led to General Lee’s surrender at Appomattox Court House.
Neshaminy State Park, the Bensalem Historical Society, the 28th Pennsylvania Historical Association, the Army of Northern Virginia Re-enacting Organization, the Delaware Valley Civil War Roundtable, The G.A.R. Museum and Library, Parx Casino and Waste Management, Inc. are all teaming up to put on the big show. Thus, the reenactment is free and open to the public, though donations are welcome and will benefit Civil War preservation efforts.
